Fairfax County Sees Increase in Crashes Involving Bicyclists, Pedestrians
More cyclists and pedestrians are getting hit by cars in Fairfax County. So far this year, 45 cyclists, 98 pedestrians involved in crashes, according to police.
http://chantilly.patch.com/groups/police-and-fire/p/police-fairfax-county-sees-increase-in-bicycle-pedestrian-accidents
Fairfax County has seen an increase in the number of cyclists involved in crashes, jumping from 85 crashes in 2011 to 106 in 2012, according to an announcement released Tuesday by the Fairfax County Police Department.
So far this year, police said, there have been 45 cyclists involved in crashes.
An 18-month study of reportable bicycle crashes shows that:
•at least a quarter of the bicyclists were not wearing reflective clothing at the time of the crash
•five bicyclists were reported to have been drinking alcohol
The study also found that about 44 percent of cyclists were performing an improper action such as operating on the wrong side of the road and failing to maintain proper control or disregarding a stop or yield sign.
Police said they are working with local cycling groups around the region to increase public education efforts on bicycle safety issues.
Police also see increase in pedestrian-involved crashes
In addition to the increase in cyclists involved in crashes, the police department reports an increase in pedestrians involved in crashes as well.
There were 201 in 2012, up from 185 in 2011. So far this year, there have been 98. Police urge pedestrians to learn more about safety issues at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/pedestrian/pedsafety.htm.
To learn more about bicycle safety laws, check http://www.vdot.virginia.gov/programs/bk-laws.asp.
More cyclists and pedestrians are getting hit by cars in Fairfax County. So far this year, 45 cyclists, 98 pedestrians involved in crashes, according to police.
http://chantilly.patch.com/groups/police-and-fire/p/police-fairfax-county-sees-increase-in-bicycle-pedestrian-accidents
Fairfax County has seen an increase in the number of cyclists involved in crashes, jumping from 85 crashes in 2011 to 106 in 2012, according to an announcement released Tuesday by the Fairfax County Police Department.
So far this year, police said, there have been 45 cyclists involved in crashes.
An 18-month study of reportable bicycle crashes shows that:
•at least a quarter of the bicyclists were not wearing reflective clothing at the time of the crash
•five bicyclists were reported to have been drinking alcohol
The study also found that about 44 percent of cyclists were performing an improper action such as operating on the wrong side of the road and failing to maintain proper control or disregarding a stop or yield sign.
Police said they are working with local cycling groups around the region to increase public education efforts on bicycle safety issues.
Police also see increase in pedestrian-involved crashes
In addition to the increase in cyclists involved in crashes, the police department reports an increase in pedestrians involved in crashes as well.
There were 201 in 2012, up from 185 in 2011. So far this year, there have been 98. Police urge pedestrians to learn more about safety issues at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/pedestrian/pedsafety.htm.
To learn more about bicycle safety laws, check http://www.vdot.virginia.gov/programs/bk-laws.asp.